southern pine inspection bureau - microsoft · submitted a detailed comment letter with...

July 2012 • www.westfloridabuilders.com 1

Southern Pine Inspection Bureau Design Value Change

Home Builders Association of West Florida • July 20122 Home Builders Association of West Florida2

July 2012 • www.westfloridabuilders.com 3www.westfloridabuilders.com 3

2012 Leadership

Board

2012 Home Builders Association of West Florida

Board of Directors

Builder MembersPam Caddell, Gulf+Atlantic Constructors

Brandon Edgar, Joe-Brad ConstructionChad Edgar, Holiday Builders

Renee Foret, Foret and Lundy BuildersDarrell Gooden, Gooden Homes

Robert Harris, Adams HomesDoug Henry, Thomas Home Corporation

Doug Herrick, Coastal ICF Concrete Wall SystemsClyde Jolly, Southern Building Specialties

Ron Mangum, Residential Renovation CompanyBilly Moore, Southern Home & Construction,

Bryan Moore, BRM Residential HomesLorie Reed, DR Horton

Jennifer Rigby, Gleaton & DeMaria Commercial Development

Brad Thompson, Deer Point ConstructionRon Tuttle, Bennat, Inc.

David Teague, Timberland ContractorsChris Vail, Urban Infill Corporation

Thomas Westerheim, Westerheim Properties

Associate MembersAngela Carter, Gulf Power Company

Bret Cornett, ProBuildBill Daniel, Mobile Lumber

Rick Endsley, Builders Specialty SupplyJill Grove, Energy Services of PensacolaTom Hammond, Hammond Engineering

Jim HarrisTowana Henry, Keller Williams Realty

Pat Kozma, Jenkins Brick & Tile Company, LLCWilliam Merrill, Rebuild Northwest Florida

Ric Nickelsen, Whitney National BankDuane Nisewonger, Gateway Lighting

David Redmond, PrimeLendingGary Sluder, Gene’s Floor CoveringWilma Shortall, Mortgage America

Kevin Trusler, Emerald Coast Builders, Inc.,Remodelor’s Council Chair

Doug Whitfield, Doug Whitfield Residential Designer, Santa Rosa Chamber Liaison

Jayer Williamson, Williamson Electrical CompanyBrent Woody, Advanced Roofing and Waterproofing

Ex-Officio Members:Keith Furrow, Pensacola Association of Realtors

Kevin Russell, Russell Home Builders, Custom Builders Council

Natasha Reynolds, Energy Services of Pensacola, Green Building Council Chair

Janice Terrell, Energy Services of Pensacola, Auxiliary Chair

Eric Witt1st Vice President

Kenneth E, Witt Carpentry

Luke ShowsPresident

Shows Construction

Judy GundFinancial Officer

Saltmarsh, Cleaveland & Gund

Newman RodgersTreasurer

Newman Rodgers Construction

Rod Hurston2nd Vice President

Fisher-Brown Insurance

Stephen MoorheadLegal Counsel

McDonald, Fleming, Moorhead

CornerstoneThe official magazine of the

Home Builders Association of West Florida

4400 Bayou Blvd., Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503

(850) 476-0318www.westfloridabuilders.com

Cornerstone is published for the Home Builders Association of West Florida by Nicholson Publishing and distributed to its members. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without written authorization. Articles in Cornerstone do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the HBA of West Florida. Articles are accepted from various individuals in the industry to provide a forum for our readers.

Russ ParrisImmediate Past President

Parris Construction Company

Shelby johnsonSecretary

Johnson Construction

Steve GeciPast 2nd Vice President

Geci & Associates Engineers

John Hattaway3rd Vice President

Hattaway Home Design

Home Builders Association of West Florida • July 20124

Cornerstone, the monthly publication of the Home Builders Association of West Florida serving Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties, is published monthly, twelve (12x) per year. Send address changes to HBA of West Florida, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910. Cornerstone, is published in the interests of all segments of the home building industry and is distributed to its members and others associated with the HBA of West Flor-ida. HBA of West Florida and Richard K. Nicholson Pub., Inc. does not accept responsibility for, or endorse any statement or claims made by advertisers or authors of any articles. Every effort has been made to assure accuracy of information, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of Home Builders Association of West Florida, Copyright ©, 4400 Bayou Boulevard, Suite 45, Pensacola, Florida 32503-1910, 850.476.0318. Advertisers and advertorials in Cornerstone do not constitute an offer for sale in states where prohibited by law.

In ThisIssue

Cover StorySouthern Pine Inspection Bureau Design Values Change ........................ 6

CORNERSTONE COLUMNS

President’s Message: Why the 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage is Important .............................................................................. 5

FEATURE STORIES

Providing Backup Power and Educating Students,Sunsmart E Shelter Program is a Great Idea .......................................... 12

Builders Learn How to Comply with OSHA Regulations With Updated Handbook from NAHB ................................................... 13

NAHB News & Notes: Important Issues in the Building Industry ...... 14

Bipartisan Lead Paint Would Ease Regulatory Burdens Without Compromising Safety ............................................................... 15

ASSOCIATION NEWS

2012 HBA of West Florida Leadership .................................................... 3

Mark Your Calendar ................................................................................. 5

HBA News: Hiring a License Contractor Will Save You Time, Money, and Give You Peace of Mind ........................................... 10

HBA News; Hurricane Preparation Plan For Builders ........................ 11

HBA Home & Product Expo August 24th to 26th at Pensacola Civic Center ....................................................................... 16

Get Involved in HBA Councils & Committees ...................................... 16

HBA Membership News, Welcome New Members, Thanks for Renewing, Time to Renew, & Don’t Lose Your Membership ................ 17

Spike Club Update .................................................................................. 18

DEPARTMENTS INDEX

Next Issue Deadlines ……..................................................……. 4, 11 & 14

Advertisers Index, Web, & Email Addresses ………….....…………… 18

Magazine Design & Layout by warren wight creative services

www.ww-cs.com

Cornerstone

David Peaden IIExecutive Director

[email protected]

Alecia OvermanAccounting [email protected]

Next Issue:

August 2012Edit: July 3, 2012

Space: July 17, 2012

Materials: July 25, 2012


President’sMessage

Luke Shows

Mark Your Calendar!

Auxiliary CouncilMeet QuarterlyCustom Builders CouncilMeet QuarterlyGreen Building CouncilMeet on the last Wednesday of each month.Membership CommitteeMeet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.Remodelor’s CouncilMeet on the 1st Thursday of each month.Board of DirectorsMeet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

July 27-28 CE Courses (14 hours)

July 26-28 SEBC in Orlando, FL

Aug 24-26 Home & Product Expo

Oct 25 Fall Golf Classic

Interested in sponsoring a General Membership Meeting?Contact Alecia Overman at 850-476-0318 for more information!

For further event details, please visit our website:

www.westfloridabuilders.com Please note that dates and locations are subject to change.

Why the 30-Year Fixed-Rate Mortgage

is Important Today’s historically-low mortgage in-terest rates are good news for both prospective and current home owners. Families looking to buy can afford more home for their money, and home owners may be able to refinance their mortgages and lower their monthly payments or tap into their home’s equity to pay for ex-penses such as school tuition for their children or a major renovation. But the 30-year, fixed rate mortgage — the primary housing financing tool for most Americans — is being threatened. Some mem-bers of Congress are pushing to end the federal backstop for housing. Without a federal role to absorb market risk, private lenders would increase interest rates and fees on all types of available financing options, including the 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage. During the Great Depression, the na-tional homeownership rate was well under 50 percent and buyers were often forced to finance their homes with a 50 percent downpayment on a five-year balloon mortgage. The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage came about as a result of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies and played a pivotal role in helping to increase the national homeownership rate so that today two out of three Americans own a home. The 30-year loan is the most popular and sustainable mortgage in the marketplace for many reasons, including: • Affordability. Thirty year terms lock in

low monthly payments, allowing house-holds with average incomes to comfort-ably budget for their home loan.

• Inflation protection. Knowing their month-ly housing costs will remain the same year in and year out regardless of whether interest rates rise provides households with a sense of financial security and also acts as a hedge against inflation.

• Long-term planning. Many young buyers know that as their incomes rise, their mortgage payment will stay constant and take up less of their monthly budget, which will enable them to save for other costs like their children’s school tuitions and retirement.

• Tax advantages. In most instances, all of the interest and property taxes a home owner pays in a given year can be deducted from their gross income, reduc-ing their taxable income. This can result in thousands of dollars of tax savings, especially in the early years of a 30-year mortgage when interest makes up most of the payment.

Economists agree that there can be no sustainable economic recovery until the housing market rebounds. A sound housing finance system that provides a stable and af-fordable supply of credit for home buyers and rental housing is essential to ensure a healthy housing market, to keep standard 30-year fixed-rate loans and adjustable rate mortgages readily accessible and affordable, to spur job creation and to maintain a strong and durable economy. To learn more about the threats to homeowner-ship and how to take action to protect it, go to www.protecthomeownership.com.

“The 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage came about as a result of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies and played a pivotal role in helping to increase the national home-ownership rate...”


CoverStory

Southern Pine Inspection Bureau

Design Values Change On October 6, 2011, the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) announced it was submit-ting a proposal to the American Lumber Standard Committee’s (ALSC) Board of Review to lower the design properties for all grades and sizes of visually graded Southern Pine by 25%-30%. SPIB also indicated that it intended, upon approval by the ALSC Board of Review, to immediately implement and publish the new design values. Gary Ehrlich, NAHB’s Program Manager - Structural Codes & Standards, rep-resents NAHB on the ALSC. NAHB has been working with members of its Building Systems Councils, the Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) and other industry repre-sentatives on this issue.

NAHB was concerned about the severe impact an immediate change could have on many housing projects currently in the pipe-line, as well as the impact of any change on the design of future homes constructed of Southern Pine. Further, it was not clear how quickly the

change would be adopted and enforced by state and local jurisdictions. NAHB was also concerned that the SPIB proposal was spurred by anecdotal evidence of Southern Pine lumber testing below published design values, and based on extrapolation from the results of testing only #2 2x4 specimens. The American Society for Test-ing and Materials (ASTM) industry standard D1990 requires testing a full range of grades and sizes of the species. Additionally, NAHB expects that ample notice of any planned reduc-tions be provided, along with an effective date that would provide industry with a transition period. At Board of Review meetings on October 20, 2011, and January 5, 2012, NAHB testified against adoption and immediate imple-mentation of the proposed changes. NAHB had submitted a detailed comment letter with rec-ommended actions that addressed our concerns to the Board of Review. On January 11, 2012, the Board of Review rejected the sweeping changes proposed by SPIB and approved new values for only #2 2x4s (and all lower grades of that size), and recommended an effective date of June 1, 2012, for the new design values to “allow for their orderly implementation.” On January 18, 2012, SPIB formally published Supplement No. 9 to the 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber containing the approved reductions in design values for 2x4, No. 2 and lower grade lumber, with an effective date of June 1, 2012. In March, the American Wood Council (AWC) issued an addendum to the 2012, 2005, and 2001 editions of the National Design Specification to implement the new design values for #2 Southern Pine 2x4s. Also, an addendum incorporating this same change to the span tables in the 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual has been made. Both of these documents are referenced standards in the 2012 IBC and IRC. AWC has also posted amendments to prescriptive tables in Chapter 2308 of the IBC and Chapters 502 and 802 of the IRC for jurisdictions to adopt. Going forward, SPIB is testing additional sizes and grades of Southern Pine as required by ASTM D1990 and directed by the ALSC Board of Review. A submission to ALSC is expected in late summer or early fall,

“NAHB expects that

ample notice of any

planned reductions

be provided, along

with an effective date

that would provide

industry with a

transition period.”


CoverStory

What do design values represent? Design values represent the material properties of a species of wood and describe how that wood will behave when used in the construction of a building. Design values are used for engineering de-sign and in the development of prescriptive building code provisions. These design values represent the near-minimum properties of a particular grade and species of lumber. It is likely the average piece of visually-graded lumber will be significantly stronger than the published design values.

How are design values developed? Design values for visually-graded dimension lumber are established through a process of sampling, testing, and analysis, and are published as part of a lumber grading agency’s standard visual grading rules. The procedure is found in PS 20, a voluntary consensus standard of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and is overseen by the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC). NAHB is an ALSC member, along with lumber grading and inspection agencies, other industry associations and lumber dealers. The ALSC maintains an independent Board of Review charged with the review and approval of grading rules and design values.

Why are these design values changing? The exact reasons are uncertain, but discussions have revolved around changes in harvesting practices and improvements in sawmill technology.

Which design values are changing? The design values for bending (F

b), tension parallel-to-grain

(Ft), compression parallel to grain (F

c) and modulus of elasticity (E

and Emin

) are changing. The design values for shear parallel-to-grain (F

v) and compression perpendicular to grain (F

c ) stay the same. Spe-

cific gravity (G) remains the same for now, but may be adjusted in the future.

Are the design values for all South-ern Pine lumber changing? No. At this time, changes only affect design values for visually-graded Southern Pine and Mixed Southern Pine, #2 grade and lower (#3, Construction, Stud and Utility Grades), for lumber sized 2-4 inches in width and 2-4 inches in thickness (2x2, 2x3, 2x4, 3x3, 3x4, 4x4).

Are future changes in design values for Southern Pine lumber planned? SPIB is testing additional sizes and grades of Southern Pine (#2 2x8, #2 2x10, and Select Structural 2x4, 2x8 and 2x10) as re-quired by ASTM D1990 and directed by the ALSC Board of Review. A submission to ALSC is expected in late summer or early fall, which may propose changes to design values for larger sizes (e.g. 2x8 and 2x10) and higher grades (#1 and Select Structural).

How will design values be incorporated into the building codes? The national model building codes, including the Interna-tional Code Council’s (ICC) International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC), are developed on a three-year cycle. Currently, we are in the 2012-2014 ICC Code Development Cycle (CDC). The 2012-14 CDC will produce the 2015 editions of the IBC and IRC that are scheduled to be published sometime in 2014. Although future IBC and IRC editions may be revised to reflect new design values, they will not be mandatory until a state or local jurisdiction actually adopts the next edition (2015) of the codes. However, a state or local jurisdiction could amend its building code to reflect the new design values, independent of the CDC.

Are the 2012 I-Codes being amended at the national level to adopt the new design values? Not at this time. An emergency amendment to change the 2015 IBC and IRC to reflect the new design values was submitted to ICC, but ICC’s Codes and Standards Council recommended the request be disapproved. The ICC Board of Directors later upheld the recommendation.

What happens if a jurisdiction does not amend its code to incorporate the new design values? The design values established under the original edition of SPIB’s 2002 Standard Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber would continue to be the adopted design values in that jurisdiction. However, engineers working in that jurisdiction may opt to use the new design values. As noted above, truss manufacturers, particularly those working in multiple jurisdictions, may opt to implement the new design values now. If you have questions, you should check with your local building official.

Frequently Asked Questions: Southern Pine Lumber Design Values

which may propose reductions to design values for larger sizes (e.g. 2x8 and 2x10) and higher grades (#1 and Select Structural). ALSC has also directed the other major species (Douglas Fir, Hem-Fir and Spruce-Pine-Fir) to conduct sampling and testing to assure there are no changes to their current design values. NAHB will continue to press for an open, transparent process for the development

of new design values, and for resource sam-pling procedures that insure design values truly represent the quality of lumber widely available in the marketplace. NAHB will also continue to insist that approval of any proposal reducing design values includes an effective date that al-lows a transition period for the market and time for standards to be updated and building codes to be amended.

MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS page 8


More Frequently Asked Questions:

Southern Pine Lumber Design Values

CoverStory

Has the American Wood Council revised its standards to the new design values? Yes. The American Wood Council (AWC) issued addenda to the 2012, 2005 and 2001 editions of the National Design Specification to implement the new design values for #2 Southern Pine 2x4’s. Also, AWC wrote an addendum incorporating this same change to the span tables in the 2012 Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM). The NDS and WFCM are reference standards in the IBC and IRC. Juris-dictions can adopt the addenda to amend the editions of the NDS and WFCM now referenced in their building codes. AWC has also posted amendments to the prescriptive span tables in Chapter 2308 of the IBC, and Chapters 502 and 802 of the IRC. Jurisdictions can also adopt these amendments to update the affected tables in their building codes.

How will the new design values affect construction going forward? The new design values for 2x4’s primarily affect the design of roof and floor trusses. Depending on the configuration and loading of an individual truss, the truss designer may have to use a larger size, higher grade, or different species of lumber for the top and bottom chords and

critical web members. In many cases the designer will still be able to use the truss manufacturer’s stock of #2 2x4’s for trusses or portions of trusses carrying lighter loads. Regardless of whether local jurisdictions adopt the new design values, many truss manufacturers were expected begin using the new design values on June 1, if they had not already transitioned. The effect on framing lumber for walls is limited. The maxi-mum allowable spans will decrease for #2 2x4’s used in headers, joists and rafters. However, 2x4’s are not commonly used in those applications, so the reduced spans will have minimal effects on most builders. Ad-ditionally, the prescriptive tables for wall studs in the building codes are species-independent and will not change. Where a builder has used the engineered design chapter of the WFCM or had an engineer design 2x4 wall studs using the provisions of the NDS, he or she may see changes in future designs for those studs.

Does this change affect recently completed housing? The reduced design values apply only to new construction. Existing construction, including recently completed projects, is only required to meet the building code requirements in effect at the time of construction.


In light-frame wood construction, considerable redundancy is provided by the closely-spaced joists, studs, rafters and trusses that make up the wall, floor, and roof framing. Sheathing, headers, rim and band joists, and other continuous elements promote sharing of loads between adjoining members. A light-framed structure possesses a high degree of reserve strength due to this ability to share and redistribute loads. If you have any questions, check with your local building official. How will houses under construction be affected by this change? Projects under construction are typically governed by the building code in effect at the time building permits were approved. Standard code language allows the use of material strengths and properties required or recognized by the building code existing at the time a permit was approved. If you have any questions, check with your local building official.

What will the impact be if my building permits have been approved, but I have not started con-struction yet? Typically, when a jurisdiction adopts a new building code or amends its existing code, projects which have been submitted prior to the date on which the new or amended code takes effect are reviewed and approved under the previous code. These projects would not need to be revised to meet the new code requirements. However, builders should check with their local building department for confirmation.

Are design values for other species of visually-graded lumber going to be reviewed? The ALSC Board of Review has also directed the rules-writing agencies representing the other major lumber species (Douglas Fir, Hem-Fir and Spruce-Pine-Fir) to conduct sampling and testing to determine whether any changes are required to their current design values.

Can I make use of the new design values even if my jurisdiction has not formally adopted them? Yes. Many jurisdictions will allow the use of newer versions of standards than those referenced in the locally adopted building code. Thus, builders, truss designers and structural engineers who want to begin using the new design values should be able to do so. Check with your local building department to see if it will accept plans based on the new design values.

How is information on new design values being communicated to the building industry and code enforcement community? Organizations such as NAHB, the Southern Forest Products Association, and the Structural Building Components Association have been updating their members through news-letters, press releases and websites. ICC was expected to circulate a notice to its membership informing them of the change in the Southern Pine design values and the June 1 effective date after which the new design values can be adopted.

Going forward, what will NAHB do? NAHB will continue to work to ensure the industry is provided ample and proper notification on any future design value changes and a reasonable period to adjust to any changes. These materials have been prepared by the National Association of Home Builders for general informational purposes only. These materials do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is intended or established. If you have questions about any of the information contained in these materials or need further information, you should consult with your attorney or local building code official.


HBANews

Hiring a Licensed Contractor Will Save You Time, Money and Give You Peace of Mind

By Shelby Johnson

Editors Note: This article was submitted to the Pensacola News Journal’s Viewpoint Section after the recent floods.

Have you ever hear a news reporter say that a bank was robbed by an unlicensed banker? Then why do we call a person who rips off a homeowner by performing construction work an “Unlicensed Contractor?” With this in mind, many people in Northwest Florida are trying to repair the damage to their homes and businesses from the recent storms and flooding in our area. Your home and business are likely your largest investments, and even simple remodels can cost a lot of money. So you want to make sure you find a contractor you can trust. You should also ask for referrals from friends, family, neigh-bors, coworkers, and others who have had re-modeling completed. Or, ask local independent trade contractors, building materials suppliers, architects, engineers, home inspectors, lenders and insurance professionals for recommenda-tions. Once you have a list of potential contractors for your project, do research to verify that they are appropriately licensed and have a good business track record. Remember, an occupational license does not qualify an individual to act as a contractor. What are some of the questions you should ponder? How long they have been in business in your community? Can they provide references from customers and suppliers they work with? Do they carry insurance that protects you from claims arising from property damage or job site injuries? Ask for a copy of the insurance certificates. What is their working knowledge of the many types and ages of homes in the area, and what sort

of issues could arise? Do they arrange for the building permit? (The person who obtains the permit is the contractor of record and therefore liable for the work). Do they provide a written estimate before beginning the work, and a detailed contract that spells out the work that will and will not be performed, protects both of you, provides a fair payment schedule contract and complies with local, state, and federal laws? What is covered under the warranty and for how long? Can I trust the person who will be working in my home with valuables? Will the person hired perform work up to code? These questions can be answered with a quick phone call to your local building de-partment with the information on the business cards of the person bid-ding on your project. Ask if they are currently licensed in good standing. Licensed profes-sionals, by law, should have their licensed number clearly stated on a business card, or any signage or advertisement. Not seeing this number should be a red flag. Licensed profes-sionals are experienced, trained and tested to perform work of their discipline around your property. All licensed persons must first be fingerprinted and pass a background check by the state of Florida to receive their license. Insurance companies report directly to the local building departments if a licensed persons in-surance becomes inactive which suspends them from pulling permits. Building departments can discipline a licensed person by imposing fines or license suspension when complaints are filed against them by a homeowner. The only option if the person is not licensed is for the homeowner to take that person to court. If that happens, you will be fighting an uphill battle. According to the Florida Depart-ment of Business and Professional Regulation,

here are a few warning signs of an unlicensed person:• Beware of people purporting to be the

fastest or the cheapest, because hiring them will result in poor workmanship, inferior material or and in most cases, unfinished jobs.

• Unlicensed people often target the uniformed and inexperienced, as well as the elderly. They frequently travel in unmarked vehicles, soliciting door to door.

• They often give a post office box address instead of a street address.

• The demand large payments up front, ask for cash payments, and for full pay-ment before the work is completed, and convince homeowners to get the necessary building permits.

Be a savvy homeowner, call your local building department, and ask if the person bidding is licensed and in good standing before you start. In Escambia County Call (850) 595-3550. In Santa Rosa County Call (850) 981-7000. To verify a contractor’s license or file a complaint against a contractor, call 850-487-1395 or go to www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

Shelby Johnson, of Johnson Con-

struction, a licensed Florida Building and

Roofing Contractor, is a Senior Officer and

Board member of the Home Builders Associa-

tion of West Florida.

“Once you have a list of potential contractors for your project, do research to verify that they are appropriately licensed and have a good business track record.”


HBANews

To advertise, call Richard Nicholson [email protected]

NEXT CORNERSTONE ISSUE:

August 2012

Hurricane Preparation Plan For Builders

Provided by Amru Meah Escambia County Building Official Hurricane Conditions

Predicted Within 5 Days:• Clean job site daily. • Inspect and secure tie-downs for all con-

struction trailers. • Reschedule material deliveries that have

little impact on your production. • Make sure your staff is aware of important

phone numbers and your contingency plan.

• Contact your subcontractors and outline your expectations for securing job sites, explain your contingency plan, and give them phone numbers where they can reach you.

• Maker sure your vehicles have flashlights and drinking water.

• Make sure your computers are surge pro-tected and the UPS functions properly.

• Obtain printer cartridges, paper and com-puter disks or read/write CD’s.

Hurricane Watch Is Issued: • Police the job site and reasonable area

around the construction zones to assure all loose debris is removed.

• Arrange to have dumpsters removed. • Halt material deliveries. • Stop production of any work that is highly

vulnerable to damage. • Complete tasks such as concrete work if it

may prevent damage to the job site. • Have your subs secure or remove unneces-

sary materials or equipment from job sites. • Prepare to cover windows and glass doors.• Plan for the next day as if a Hurricane

Warning will be issued; make sure there is enough time to complete the tasks neces-sary for a Hurricane Warning.

Hurricane Warning Is Issued: • Make sure the dumpsters have been

removed or are empty. • Remove scaffolding. • Secure or remove all building materials. • Secure or remove all portable toilets. • Turn off power at circuit breakers to any

temporary electric service and to homes under construction.

• Close & cover all windows with plywood. • Back-up all computer records. • Make sure your office is secured. • If authorities call for evacuation, leave

immediately, tell your employees to leave.

After the Hurricane: Once the Hurricane is over, return to job sites for damage inspection only when it is safe to do so. Keep in mind that damages from the Hurricane such as fallen trees, damaged util-ity poles and lines, and flooding may impede efforts for immediate repairs, and some areas may have been hit worse than others. Make sure your employees keep a safe distance from fallen power lines and electric utility restora-tion crews. If the job site has been flooded or saturated with water, be careful in and around any open trenches or excavations.

Informational Items: Hurricane Watch – 3 days out: A Hur-ricane or hurricane conditions (winds of 74 mph or greater) may threaten your area within 36 hours. Hurricane Warning – Within 1 day: A warning that sustained winds of 74 mph or higher are expected in your area within 24 hours.

It’s time once again to be aware of Hurricane season and the advance preparations necessary for job sites. During severe weather you are responsible for securing your job sites for the protection of your employees, the public, property, as well as yourself. We are providing a Preparation Plan for your convenience.


FeatureStory

Providing Backup Power and Educating Students

Sunsmart E-Shelter Program a Great Idea

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and prepa-ration are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. All of these pose a threat to our power supply, and almost always results in outages. As we settle into Hurricane season on the Gulf Coast, homeowners and businesses go through a checklist to make sure they are prepared if and when the big storm comes. The Florida Solar Energy Center developed a program to keep us ahead of the storm, and educate our youth in the process. The Sun Smart E-Shelter Program provides photovoltaic (solar electric, PV) systems of 10 kW or larger to Enhanced Hurricane Protection Area (EHPA) emergency shelter schools. The systems provide electricity for emergency power, help reduce the school's electricity costs throughout the year, and provide scientific data that can be analyzed by students. Students develop critical thinking skills as they analyze data and compare their information with schools through-out Florida. This program was funded by the State of Florida though a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), created with a $10 million stimulus. Each shelter school/college was competitively selected based on their location, status as an emergency shelter, and renewable energy education and outreach plans. A leader in solar energy research, FSEC is coordinating the program and providing educational materials for teachers to use with students, as well as training for school faculty and staff. Compass Solar Energy of Pensacola was selected to install thirteen of these solar electric systems on area schools that qualified for the program. These installations are throughout a five county area (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Washington, and Bay). The solar panels will be ground mounted, tied to the utility company power grid, and equipped with an automatic transfer that will switch to battery power in the event of a grid failure. All components will be hurri-cane rated and engineered to withstand high winds and large hail. Compass Solar Energy was selected based on their reputation as a premier solar integrator. Since 2001, they have consistently provided high quality Solar Design and Installation in support of Federal, State, and local govern-ment agencies- along with commercial and residential entities. They are certified by the State of Florida, SBA, and The National Association of Board Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), and have over 35 years combined experience in the solar industry. The company specializes in the design of Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Systems and Solar Thermal Applications.

Schools selected are:•CedarGroveElementarySchool•JinksMiddleSchool•RCLipscombElementarySchool•LongleafElementarySchool•AntiochElementarySchool•BakerSchool•AvalonMiddleSchool•BennettC.RussellElementarySchool•FreeportSeniorHighSchool•ACrawfordMosleyHighSchool•ChipleyHighSchool•VernonHighSchool


FeatureStory

Builders Learn How to Comply with OSHA

Regulations with Updated Handbook from NAHB

Safe work practices of small building companies play an important part in reducing injuries and fatalities in the residential construction industry. BuilderBooks, the publishing arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently released the third edi-tion of its Jobsite Safety Handbook which explains what builders can do to comply with OSHA require-ments. The Jobsite Safety Handbook, a comprehensive guide written in both English and Spanish, de-scribes how the residential con-struction industry can comply with OSHA regulations, while focusing on the most common hazards found on jobsites. The handbook covers the key safety issues residential builders and trade contractors need to focus on to reduce accidents and injuries. It identifies safe work practices and related OSHA regulations that have an impact on the most hazardous activities in the construc-tion industry. Included in the handbook is a series of general safety tips which are designed to provide examples of common best practices for residential construc-tion safety that can be incorporated into a company’s safety and health program. “Utilizing safe work practices on a jobsite is of the utmost importance to our members,” said NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg, a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. “The Jobsite Safety Handbook covers key safety issues and provides concise tips for complying with OSHA regulations, and preventing jobsite

hazards.” With clear illustrations and color photographs, the Jobsite Safety Handbook includes new and updated information on topics such as:•Fallprotectionforroofingworkandaround openings

•Hearingandrespiratory protec-tion•Workinginconfined spaces•Firstaid•Hazardousmate-rials•Housekeepingand general site safety•Employerduties,including training and protective equipment

The hand-book highlights the minimum safe work practices and regulations designed to pre-vent major haz-ards and causes of

fatalities occurring in the residential con-struction industry. It should be used only as a companion to the actual regulations and as a general guide to safety practices. For more information and resources on construction safety, OSHA compliance and other safety guidelines, visit www.nahb.org/OSHA. Jobsite Safety Handbook, Third Edition is available for purchase at http://www.builderbooks.com/ or by call-ing 800-223-2665. Soft-cover/95pages, $12.50 retail, $11.00 NAHB member, ISBN 978-0-86718-681-9. Editor’s Note: Editors who are interested in receiving a complimentary copy of Jobsite Safety Handbook, Third Edition to review for their publications should contact Patricia Potts at 202-266-8224 or email [email protected].


NAHBNews

To advertise, call Richard Nicholson

[email protected]

NEXT CORNERSTONE

ISSUE: August 2012

FHA Rescinds “Credit Disputes” Rule – For Now In good news for home buyers this week, NAHB and other housing and bank-ing industry groups have helped convince the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to withdraw a controversial rule slated to go into effect on July 1 that would have prohibited bor-rowers with any credit disputes of more than $1,000 from obtaining FHA financing. Earlier this year, FHA issued a mortgagee letter stating that buyers either had to pay off ongoing credit disputes of more than $1,000 that appeared on their credit reports or show proof that they have entered into a repayment plan with their creditors before they could qualify for an FHA loan. NAHB and others in the housing finance community opposed this action citing concerns that it would further restrain the flow of mortgage credit and prevent creditworthy borrowers from qualifying for an FHA-insured loan. Thankfully, on June 15, the FHA issued an updated mortgagee letter formally rescind-ing its earlier ruling on this matter. However, the agency is expected to issue new guidance on this topic in the near future. We'll be keep-ing a close eye on how this develops going forward and will keep our readers apprised. In the meantime, for more information please contact Steve Linville (800-368-5242 x8597).

NAHB Analysis Links Student Loan Debt Crisis to Lower Home ValuesNewly published findings from an NAHB analysis of government data reveal a connec-tion between rising student loan debt and the onset of the housing slump, and offer further proof of how lower home values have hurt mil-lions of middle class households and threat-ened the fragile economic recovery. Coming on the heels of a recent report from the Federal Reserve showing that U.S. household wealth

plunged nearly 40% from 2007 to 2010 as a result of declining home values, the findings further illuminate the consequences of that shortfall while serving as an urgent wake-up call for policymakers to do their part to ensure a full-fledged housing recovery moves forward. In announcing the study results, NAHB called on leaders in Washington to ensure access to mortgage credit for qualified borrowers; demonstrate their support for the mortgage interest deduction; support affordable down-payments for home buyers; enact reforms in appraisal practices and oversight to ensure that appraisals accurately reflect true market values; and establish a strong housing finance system that retains a federal backstop to ensure that standard 30-year fixed-rate loans and adjust-able rate mortgages remain readily available for working class households. As NAHB Chair-man Barry Rutenberg said on the study, "Young Americans need to have the ability to pay for college in order to prepare for the jobs of the future. Homeownership has historically gener-ated a thriving middle class by creating wealth and helping families to cover higher education costs. Hard-working American families and the economy will continue to struggle until we get housing back on track.” To read NAHB's report on the connection between student loans and housing, visit NAHB's Eye on Housing blog, or for more information, contact study author Robert Dietz (800-368-5242 x8285).

Builder Confidence Edges Marginally Higher This MonthBuilder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes gained one point in June from a slightly revised level in the previ-ous month to rest at 29 on the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released last week This is the highest level the index has attained since May of 2007. Commenting on the latest HMI reading, NAHB Chairman Barry Rutenberg noted, "This month’s modest uptick in builder confidence comes on the heels of a four-point gain in May and is reflective of the continued, gradual improvement we are seeing in many individual housing markets as more buyers decide to take advantage of

today’s low prices and interest rates." The HMI component measuring current sales conditions rose two points to 32 in June, which is its high-est level since April of 2007. Meanwhile, the components measuring sales expectations in the next six months and traffic of prospective buyers held unchanged at 34 and 23, respec-tively. Regionally, the HMI results were mixed, with the Midwest registering a five-point gain to 31 and the West registering a four-point gain to 33, while the Northeast and South each posted two-point declines, to 29 and 26, respectively.

Single-Family Housing Starts Gain 3.2 Percent in MaySingle-family housing production increased for a third consecutive month and builders pulled more permits for both single- and multifamily construction in May, according to figures re-leased by HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau on June 19. In fact, the seasonally adjusted annual rate of single-family housing starts hit its best pace since last December, with a 3.2% gain to 516,000 units. Single-family permits were also up by a respectable 4% margin to 494,000 units, which was their best pace since March of 2010. This good news was a bit masked in the national headlines due to the fact that a big dip on the more-volatile multifamily side pushed the overall rate of housing starts down 4.8% to a rate of 708,000 units for the month. Indeed, multifamily production slid 21.3% to 192,000 units in May following a substantial gain in the previous month. But construction activity in that sector was seen as likely to rebound due to a strong, 15.3% increase in multifamily permits to a 286,000-unit rate in May. The combined gains in single-family and multifamily permit-ting resulted in a nearly 8% increase overall, to 780,000 units -- the best pace since September of 2008. Commenting on the relatively strong housing starts report, NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe said that the latest data provides evidence of the kind of slow but steady growth that we expect to see in housing production through the end of the year, and shows that housing continues to regain strength regard-less of some weakening in other parts of the economy.


NAHBNews

Bipartisan Lead Paint Bill Would Ease Regulatory

Burdens Without Compromising Safety

Responding to concerns from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and affiliated trade groups, Reps. John Sullivan (R-Okla.) Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) and a bipartisan list of original co-sponsors today introduced legislation to make much-needed improvements to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead: Repair, Renova-tion and Painting (LRRP) rule.

Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore Jr., GMB, CAPS, GMR, a remodeler from Elm Grove, La. “This legislation will provide fami-lies greater flexibility to decide on their own remodeling activities and give them the peace of mind of knowing sound safeguards remain in place to protect against lead hazards.” Additional co-sponsors include Reps. Leonard Boswell (D-Iowa), Aaron Schock (R-Ill.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Kristi Noem (R-S.D.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), Dan Boren (D-Okla.), Tom Cole (R-Okla.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) The LRRP rule, which took effect on April 22, 2010, requires that remodelers and

this will add more than $336 million per year in compliance costs to the remodeling com-munity, and more importantly, without making young children any safer. Further, EPA has failed to approve a test kit that meets the “false positive” and “false negative” criteria stated in the regulation. By failing to perform a study of lead exposure rates from work on commercial and public buildings, the agency has also exceeded its congressional mandate by starting the pro-cess of extending the LRRP to those structures through an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Both the House and Senate bills would address these concerns and offer other reforms for EPA enforcement of the lead paint rule. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Reinstate the opt-out provision to allow home owners without small children or pregnant women residing in them – not the government -- to decide whether to require LRRP compliance.

• Suspend the LRRP if EPA does not ap-prove a commercially available test kit that meets the regulation’s requirements.

• Allow remodelers to reduce fines if they correct paperwork errors found during an inspection.

• Eliminate the “hands on” recertification training requirements that force some remodelers to travel long distances to training facilities to receive proper certi-fication.

• Prohibit EPA from expanding the LRRP to commercial and public buildings until at least one year after the agency conducts a study demonstrating the need for such an action.

• Clarify the definition of “abatement” to specifically exclude remodeling and reno-vation activities.

• Provide an exemption to the regulation for emergency renovations.

NAHB is urging its members to con-tact their representatives and senators and urge them to cosponsor the respective lead paint bills pending in the House and Senate.

For additional information about lead paint rule enforcement and compliance, visit www.nahb.org/leadpaint.

H.R. 5911, the Lead Exposure Re-duction Amendments Act of 2012, is similar to legislation (S. 2148) unveiled earlier this year in the Senate by Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) and five other cosponsors that would help home owners and remodelers to better comply with the costly work practices and record keep-ing requirements of the rule without compro-mising safety standards. “We commend Reps. Sullivan and Murphy for championing this bill that will not only make the EPA’s lead paint rule more workable, but continue to protect pregnant women and small children,” said 2012 NAHB

contractors working in homes built before 1978 be trained and certified by the EPA on lead-safe work practices before they can legally work in those homes. Three months later, EPA removed the “opt-out” provision in the LRRP that allowed remodelers working in a home built prior to 1978 to forego more expensive work practices according to the owner’s wish if no children under the age of six or pregnant women resided there. By removing the opt-out provision, EPA more than doubled the number of homes subject to the LRRP. The agency has estimated


Auxiliary Council Meet Quarterly

Custom Builders Council Meet Quarterly

Green Building Council Meet on the last Wednesday

of each month.

Membership CommitteeMeet on the 3rd Wednesday

of each month.

Remodelor’s CouncilMeet on the 1st Thursday

of each month.

Board of DirectorsMeet on the 3rd Tuesday

of each month.

Get Involved in HBA Councils & Committees!


Builder & Developer MembersBRM Residential HomesHeritage Homes of Northwest FloridaIrby Engineering & Construction, Inc.J. Taylor Homes, Inc.Ruston C. Rood, Inc. Building ContractorSessions Contractors Group, Inc.Thomas Home Corp.

Associate MembersADTS - Advanced Design Technology SystemsAmerican Concrete Supply IncAtkinsBlue Haven PoolsCompass Solar Energy, Inc.Cotton Real Estate, Inc.Emerald Coast GraniteEmerald Coast Utilities AuthorityFlorida Insurance AgencyG. Daniel Green & AssociatesGulf Coast Pool & Spa, Inc.Hamby’s Kitchen CenterHiles-McLeod InsuranceJenkins Brick & Tile Company, LLCKay’s Prestige Kitchen & BathLee Mechanical & PlumbingLive Oak LandscapeMathes Lighting & LampMcMahon-Hadder Insurance, Inc.Merrill Parker Shaw, Inc.Pensacola Ready MixRebuild Northwest FloridaRTS All American Garage Doors, Inc.Sandy Sansing DealershipsThe Legacy Building Supply CompanyW. R. Taylor & Co.Westervelt Ecological Services

THANKS FOR RENEWING!

MembershipNews

MAY EXPIRATIONSAce Insulation Contractors, Inc.

All Pro Sound

Alpha Closets & Company, Inc.

Andrews Cabinets, Inc.

Apex Granite

Award Masters, Inc.

Bill Walther Roofing, Inc.

Brownsville Ornamental Iron Works

Cabella Cabinetry, Inc.

Centre Group Properties, Inc.

Chad Parker Pools, LLC

Chavers Construction Inc.

Coast to Coast Constructors, Inc.

Deer Point Construction Company, Inc.

Dewitt Insurance

Duffy Snyder, LLC

Emerald Coast Builders Inc.

Exit Realty Advantage

Gerard Roofing Technologies

Gleaton & DeMaria Commercial Dev.

Gulf States Enterprises, Inc.

Hammond Engineering, Inc.

Associate MembersLowes Home ImprovementJames Rodgers4301 W. Fairfield DrivePensacola, FL 32505T: (850) 453-0159 F: (850) [email protected]

Panhandle Elevators, Inc.Dustin Godwin4811 Crary RoadCentury, FL 32535T: (850) 256-2400 F: (850) [email protected]

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

DON’T LOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP(You still have time to renew)

J.W. Dunnwright Construction, LLC

Kenneth E. Witt Carpentry, Inc.

Klumb Forest Products

Litvak Beasley & Wilson, LLP

MJW General Contracting, LLC

New World Landing

North Florida Financial Corporation

Outpost Rentals

Real Estate Services of the Gulf Coast

Robert F. Henry Tile Company

Ruben Surveying & Mapping

Southern Breeze One Hour A/C

The Boyd Plumbing Company

Tristar Custom Homes, LLC

Woerner Landscape Source, Inc.

JUNE EXPIRATIONS

ABC Supply Co. Inc.

Energy Systems A/C Contractors

Hattaway Home Design

Roger Mosley Construction, Inc

Tara Construction of N.W. FL., LLC

United Bank

Pot-O-Gold RentalsMark O’Kennon3940 Kimberley RoadPace, FL 32571T: (850) 736-1849 F: (850) [email protected]

If you do business with or know anyone in the “Don’t lose your Membership!” section, please

give them a call and reinforce the value of membership as well as

the importance of Members Doing Business with Members.

Builder & Developer MembersNONE TO REPORT

Angelic Creations, Inc.Beggs & Lane, AttorneysBlackwell Heating & Air, Inc.Castner Construction Company, Inc.Cort Business ServicesDoug Whitfield Residential Designer, Inc.

TIME TO RENEWAugust 2012 Renewals (Renewal invoice to be mailed 3rd week of July)

Edwards Building & Design, Inc.Emmanuel, Sheppard & CondonGulf Coast Community BankMiller & Miller Contractors, LLCPBrown Builders, LLCSunTrust Mortgage, Inc.


Advertiser’sIndex Alpha Closets 19

850.221.8771850.934.9130lesliehalsall@mchsi.comwww.AlphaClosets.com

Anchor Pest Control 19850.435.7696ginger@anchorpestcontrol.comwww.AnchorPestControl.com

Bonded Builders Home Warranty 9800.749.0381, ext.800www.bondedbuilders.com

Coldwell Banker, Glenn Lubel [email protected]

Energy Services of Pensacola 2850.436.5050www.espnnaturalgas.com

FHBI 16 888.513.1222www.fhbi.com

Gulf Power Back Cover877.655.4001850.505.5338www.GulfPower.com

warren wight creative services 13407.920.1478www.ww-cs.com

Advertiser’s IndexDon Suarez 117Dan Gilmore 113.5Oliver Gore 111.5William “Billy” Moore 110

Green Spike 50 CreditsRicky Wiggins 92 Doug Sprague 80.5Ron Tuttle 79.5John Harold 76David Holcomb 72.5Kenneth Ellzey, Sr. 63.5 Wayne Underwood 58.5Millie Carpenter 56.5Chris Pate 55.5Kevin L. Ward 55.5

Life Spike 25 CreditsWest Calhoun 48.5Bob Price, Jr. 48.5Wilma Shortall 43.5Thomas Westerheim 41Eddie Zarahn 38Darrell Gooden 36Russ Parris 29.5Garrett Walton 28.5

Blue Spike 6 CreditsJames Dillaha 21.5Newman Rodgers IV 19Doug Whitfield 19 Doug Herrick 18.5John Hattaway 18.5Keith Swilley 18.5Ed Wonders 18 Jim Harris 17Steve Moorehead 16Todd Stafford 14.5Brent Woody 12 Michelle Bean 12Dean Williams 10.5Towana (Rudd) Henry 10Larry Hunter 8.5 Bernie Mostoller 8 Beth Shoemaker 7Bret Cornett 7Luke Shows 6

If you would like to join the

Spike Club or Desire

Additional Information,

please contact Alecia Overman

(850) 476-0318

In construction, a spike is a steel object that is essen-tial to making a building strong. As in construction, the HBA of West Florida sees a Spike as someone that works to keep our association strong. Spikes work on the recruitment and retention of members in addition to keeping members active with the association. Anyone is eligible for Spike status. On Spike credit is awarded for each new member recruited and an additional credit is awarded for that new member’s renewal on or before their anniversary date. If you help to retain a member, you are eligible to receive a half point for each member.

Spike Club LevelsSpike Candidate 1-5 creditsBlue Spike 6-24Life Spike 25-49Green Spike 50-99Red Spike 100-149Royal Spike 150-249Super Spike 250-499Statesman Spike 500-999Grand Spike 1000-1499All-Time Big Spike 1500+

Spike Club Members and their credits as of 06/01/2012

Statesman Spike 500 CreditsHarold Logan 501.5

Super Spike 250 CreditsRod Hurston 402.5Jack McCombs 273

Royal Spike 150 CreditsMike Blanton 207Ron Anderson 199.5Edwin Henry 193.5Rick Sprague 190Carlton Bowers 160.5Bob Boccanfuso 159Betty Evans 153.5

Red Spike 100 CreditsThomas Kennedy 145Collier Merrill 129Alan Brock 129.5Lee Magaha 126

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